Tag Archive | salvation

Simply Believe?

Feb5

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered.

“Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” — Romans 4:1-8

Believe. Really? That’s all I have to do?

If it were easy to simply believe wouldn’t more people be doing it? It’s a choice that does not come easy. Why?

Because the only part we play in it is “believe”. Well that is too easy and there has to be more. . .

 Let me relay a little story. In the early 1980s, while working at a hospital, I had the privilege of learning the computer system that was being installed in the hospital. In return for learning I was to instruct all the new nurses that were assigned to the floor that I worked on. At that time computers were pretty archaic. There were basically two keys that you would use and all you had to do was remember the functionality of those two keys. Simple, right?

Out of all the nurses I trained over the next 10 years, I would have to say that over 90% heard these words from my mouth, “You’re making it harder than it is”. They were over thinking it because it “should be harder than it looks”.

Are you making the decision to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God — who died on a cross, bearing your sin, and 3 days later arose from the grave — more complicated than it has to be?

Your salvation and eternal life with God does not depend on anything you “do”. It depends on what God has already done and on whether you believe.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

As It Is Written

Feb3

 as it is written,

“There is none righteous, not even one; — Romans 3:10

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” — Romans 3:18

because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. — Romans 3:20

Take a good look at the ten commandments written in Exodus 20. Have you ever broken any of those commandments? That is God’s standard.

Thank God for His Law that makes us aware that we are unable to meet His standard, revealing that we are sinners. Without the realization of a problem we won’t seek to resolve the problem. Sin is a problem that all flesh is faced with.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Honor God

Jan27

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. — Romans 1:21

“did not honor Him as God or give thanks” – Isn’t that where it all begins? The deterioration of mankind. When we begin to neglect the very source and power of our existence. We speculate on unimportant, useless, and pointless things that are ineffective for all mankind. The more we neglect our God, disregarding His glory, provision, salvation, the darker our foolish hearts become.

Let today be different. In every endeavor give God the glory and thank Him in your heart, prayer and with praising song.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

“It”

Jan25

for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. — Romans 1:16b

“It”. The gospel. “It”. Jesus Christ. “It”. Power.

Trust in “It” to save you by believing. Trust in “It” to save others by telling.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Persuaded By

Jan21

Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. — Acts 28:24

As we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ we will encounter those who will not believe but for the sake of those who will be persuaded we need to tell.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Persuaded

Jan20

Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” — Acts 26:28-29

Should it not be the wish (hope) of all believers? Who in your life is being persuaded by your words?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Living

Jan12

so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. — 1 Peter 4:2

May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? — Romans 6:2

When I think on the sacrifice, the love, the free gift of Christ for me, I am grateful. So grateful that I desire to live the rest of my life in the flesh for the will of God.

Help me, Lord, to appreciate your sacrifice, love and salvation by remembering that through You I am dead to sin. Make my desire be to serve You and bring glory to Your name.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Narrow Gate/ Wide Gate Addendum

Jan8

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. — Matthew 7:13-14

When the realization sinks in that billions are headed to eternal destruction, what is your response? As Jesus wept over Jerusalem, should we not have compassion as He did?

Is your faith serious enough to face opposition and/or persecution for the sake of billions? How about those in your family? Your friends? This is serious. Are we taking the Words of our God seriously? Do we care as He cares?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Narrow Gate/Wide Gate

Jan7

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. — Matthew 7:13-14

The realization of Jesus’ words here really hit home for me last night at Small Group Bible Study. “How Can I Know” by Robert Jeffress.

The way is broad that leads to destruction. And there are MANY who enter through it. Statistics say there are seven billion people in the world. Of those seven billion 25% are classified as Christians. That means there are literally billions of people headed to Hell. And of those 25% classified to be Christians, how many really are?

God Himself says many are headed to destruction. There are only two destinations for all mankind. Only one narrow path to God and that is through Jesus Christ and Him alone.  What gate are you headed to? Your eternal life depends upon it.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Seek And Wait Silently

Jan3

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
It is good that he waits silently
For the salvation of the Lord. — Lamentations 3:25-26

How are your waiting skills? Waiting and seeking brings to mind a quiet time. Time in the still of the morning before the hectic, demanding day begins to be still. To seek the Lord and His face. To wait in quiet anticipation for Him to speak to you.

How does He speak? With a quiet voice. How do you hear? With a quiet, still heart.

Many people received devotionals for Christmas presents. Have you opened yours? Have you begun this new years journey seeking Jesus through His Word? Devotions are a step, an easy step, to getting something from God’s Word everyday.

It is good for us to seek and wait. The Lord says so.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon